making college affordable

I received an interesting comment today, from a WSU-DDP student. I was surprised because we have so many students working with us to pass I-884 (including at WSU), and this student seems to be against it. He was concerned about high tuition costs...

Perhaps he doesn't know that I-884 creates desperately needed college scholarships and financial aid, as well as more spaces in college. Look at www.levfoundation.org or the Higher Education Coordinating Board to see how Washington State has decreased per-student education funding over the past 10 years. And Washington's student population has increased at the same time, which is what is pressuring universities and even community colleges to increase tuition.

UW's tuition is still far below its peer institutions in other states, but only because our state government subsidizes some of the cost and because UW's faculty is severely underpaid compared to their peers. When I was at UW last year I watched some of my own professors leave to go to other states where they had better opportunities.

I hope that we will be able to pass I-884, to help the financial struggles of this WSU student, and many others who want to be able to afford a quality education.